Offertory scripture:
We learn as go along in life.
The word of God can help and will help.
Psalm 34:10
As we learn to seek God and put His word into action, He will not withhold any good thing from you.
God wants you to be an overcomer.
Psalm 105:37
Sermon message:
This weekend is Veterans Day. Veterans are important.
John 3:16 one of the favorite verses of many believers.
Thesis: do the right thing
Everyone thinks they know the right thing is. But we have to be careful. The Bible warns us about being wise in our own eyes.
Proverbs 12:15
Proverbs 21:2
The Lord ponders the person’s heart.
We need to humble ourselves before God.
James 4:10
We need to let God correct our thinking.
Romans 12:2 (AMP)
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
God will be transforming us for the rest of our lives.
We’ve heard the following things: Live by faith. Love others. Forgive. Give. Trust God. Treat others the way you want others to treat. And so on.
But sometimes we get scared of following through because things many not pan out the way we expect if we do do the right thing.
Sometimes we simply just need help doing it.
A story from the Bible to encourage us:
Luke 10:25-37
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Jesus is trying to teach us that we cannot do it on our own and that we need Him.
Religion judges and condemns. Love helps.
The priest and Levite walked by when the man was half dead. Arguably, they were worse than the robbers who beat him because the robbers didn’t completely kill them.
The expert asked: Who’s my neighbor?
Jesus: rather, who are you going to be a neighbor to?
Answer: The right thing to do is to be a neighbor to someone.
Point #1: Good deeds are good seeds.
Proverbs 19:17 Help the poor; God will reward you.
Luke 6:36-37
Do not condemn others or you will be condemned. Instead forgive them, and you will be forgiven.
A good deed is a good seed.
Conversely: a bad deed is a bad seed.
Now Luke 6:38. This applies to money but it also applies to deeds overall, including reserving judgment, to forgiving others, and to helping others.
2 Corinthians 9:6
Plant generously so you can reap generously.
Genesis 8:22
Point #2: Walking in love is following directions from above.
Walking in love is spiritual wisdom. It’s from our Heavenly Father.
John 13:34
Galatians 5:14
Point #3: It takes faith to take the first step.
Sometimes we don’t see or don’t get to know what happens until after we start walking in faith.
Don’t rely on your own understanding; trust in the Lord.
We don’t know what was going through the Samaritan man’s head when he decided to help the traveler. But he chose to do the right thing.
1 Timothy 2:1-4
Pray for all people, no matter what.
1 Timothy 2:8